Rob Scott

Story

As a typical 'child of Thatcher' Rob left school at 16 with the intention of retiring at 25 as a multi-millionaire. After joining the stockbroking arm of RBS and making the rather expensive mistake of confusing US dollars with Singaporean dollars the City decided that Rob wasn’t for them. Rob left to travel the world, during which he cycled solo 3,300 miles up the East Coast of Australia, before returning to lead and guide school parties on historical educational tours. After 6 very happy years with very little money, Rob joined the recruitment industry.

Over the next ten years Rob rapidly rose through the ranks of a specialist Sales and Marketing recruitment division of a £0.5BN recruitment group leaving in 2007 as Marketing & Sales Director to establish Aaron Wallis, a leading sales and marketing recruitment agency. Since 1998, Rob has specialised in technical sales recruitment, particularly engineering and electronics sales recruitment, and has over 12-year operational and commercial management experience. During his corporate life, Rob won the coveted best-performing manager award 2004 for profitability (out of 315 group managers) and won numerous other group Awards for both achievements and excellence. Since setting up Aaron Wallis Rob has steered the company to enjoy double-digit growth year-on-year thorough turbulent economic times by maintaining clients and making a difference.

With a first class honours degree in History, Rob is a factoid nut and in 2007, 2009 and 2013 led the largest surveys of sales professionals in the UK. As a consequence he is recognised as an authority in both recruitment and sales and has had articles published in the Guardian, FT, the Daily Mail and The Times. Twice featuring on the front cover of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management magazine, "Winning Edge", Rob is also the author of the celebrated 'Career Success Masterclass' e-book and podcast series.

Rob has strummed a guitar since he was thirteen but hasn’t quite progressed from there. Rob is happiest on a family holiday with great views and good food. Rob is Android not iPhone. Rob’s favourite music genre is classic rock/prog rock. Rob is an anorak. Rob is stubborn. Rob is married with four children and lives in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

More About Rob Scott

1. Describe your role in one sentence?

I’m the MD of Aaron Wallis but still actively recruit and place around 40 candidates every year, predominantly into technical sales roles. My other responsibilities include overseeing marketing initiatives, developing Aaron Wallis as a ‘brand and getting involved in every aspect of commercial and operational management.

2. What is your style?As a consultant I’d like to think that I’m knowledgeable and open. I like to offer advice and help clients to make the best possible decisions. As a manager I’m the kind of person that likes to give people the tools and then let them flourish in their own style within a supportive and structured framework.

3. What’s the one thing that you’re best at solving for your clients?I really enjoy working with clients that have had real problems recruiting and maintaining staff. Then look at their recruitment process, how they manage new staff, how they measure performance and then providing them with the consultancy, and hopefully the right staff, to help them improve their results.

4. Why would a client want to work with you?I’d hope it’s because I’m pretty straightforward, knowledgeable, well connected and highly experienced across many areas of technical sales recruitment. I’ve probably met about 6,000 technical sales professionals in my career, and whilst I can’t remember them all, I can normally remember snippets about them; enough so that with a bit of database querying I can normally find them! In addition, I’d like to think that the advice I offer is easy to implement, practical and effective!

5. What is the favourite aspect of your work? It’s a continuously evolving role and industry – the day to day role is radically different to what it was ten years ago, and I know that the role of a recruiter will be drastically different in five years. It’s that constant change which keeps me fresh and always trying to learn new skills and techniques. Also, I love the way that every day is different and genuinely encounter a situation every single working day that I’ve not encountered before.

6. What would you do, as a career, if you weren’t working in recruitment?Probably, a History Teacher. And, I’d probably get sacked after a year though for not following the curriculum and only teaching the interesting stuff!

7. What skills make a great sales person? Positive attitude, hard work and process (i.e. working to proven methods, managing yourself against your own KPI’s, setting small goals to achieve the big goals, etc.)

8. What are the personal characteristics and skills you have that you believe are particularly suited to what you do?I am lucky that generally I get on with most people and I’m very straightforward. I care and want to make a difference. I am passionate about what I do – I read at least a book a month on sales or recruitment together with listening to audiobooks and attending conferences and seminars on sales. I think this helps me to ‘add value’ to employers and candidates.

9. I confess to being bad at...
I talk too much, get bored easily and am not as organised as I’d like to be. I’m a classic ‘lazy zee’ DISC profile – reasonably driven, highly communicative, and easily distracted. Also, if a process can be circumvented to save time I’ll occasionally sneak down that path. Luckily there’s a great member of our team, Liam, who’s terrific at all of the above things that I’m not so good at!

More About Rob Scott as Person

1. What is the mantra, motivational quote or poem that inspires you?I’ve got a couple of quotes “Nothing Happens until I Make it Happen” by Scott Wilson and “Luck is the crossroads between preparation and perspiration” which is my adaptation of a Napoleon Hill quote. My mantra which I say to myself when at something like 23 miles into a marathon is “Never been a quitter. Never have been. Never wil

l be” – it also has a rhythm that helps you ‘stumble on’ when you feel like giving up. My Dad gave me a handwritten copy of Kipling’s “IF” (http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_if.htm) when I went travelling at 18 so that always resonates with me. Also “Life’s Little Instructions” isn’t a bad way to live your life -

http://blog.aaronwallis.co.uk/2012/12/lifes-little-instructions.html

2. What are your 3 ‘Desert Island’ songs?“Supper’s Ready” by Genesis (it’s 23 minutes long and almost ten songs in one so it’s just being greedy really) then “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd and “Green, Green Grass of Home” by Tom Jones

3. What’s the best impression that you can do? David Essex. It went out of demand for many years, back again when he was in EastEnders for a stint, then sadly it is again in very low demand.....

4. What would you send to Room 101?Oh, there's so many things! I'll just go for three. 1) People bumping into you that are texting whilst walking – they then look at you as if it’s your fault! 2) Men in gym changing rooms flaunting their bits and taking rather too long to get themselves dry (and they’re always men that really have nothing at all to be proud of!). 3) Lastly and most importantly, negative people that don’t have a good word to say about anyone or anything – I avoid them.

5. If you could go on a road trip with any person (dead or alive), who would you choose and where would you go?Benjamin Franklin. What a dude to fit so much into one life! Not only did he discover the power of lightening and was a signatory on both the ‘Declaration of Independence’ and ‘U.S. Constitution’ but he was also a self-made millionaire by his mid-twenties, set up the first fire brigade in the US, invented the Franklin Stove (but chose not to profit from it so that ordinary people could get warm cheaper - was this then perhaps the first Social Enterprise?), invented the odometer, rocking chair and bifocal glasses, founded the of University of Pennsylvania and was the leading advocate of the anti-slavery movement. In addition he retired in his 40s to follow his passions, was renowned for being a bit of a party animal (coming up with over 260 ways to describe someone that’s had ‘one too many’ – such as ‘drunk as a wheelbarrow’ and ‘well on his way to Barbados’) and was a charmer with the ladies! What a guy!

6. What do you think the secret to a good life is? Being happy and true to yourself

7. If you were to write a letter today for your grandchildren to read in thirty years detailing 3 pieces of advice for their lives what would they be?Love your granddad – I know he smells a bit but he’s alright really! No seriously, 1) the Beatles were right “Money Can’t buy You Love” but it can buy you the choice to do what you want to do. Enjoy what you can do with money rather than chase material possessions and letting it be your master, 2) Invest in your own mind – then only fate can take it away from you and, 3) Laugh lots, take risks, be happy; karma is real – treat others like you want to be treated.

8. Who is a famous person that has inspired you but not many people know about?Craig Venter - total genius. Famous for decoding human DNA he's also currently investigating artificial life with the aim is to create a microbe that eats carbon dioxide with the waste product being H2O - solving water shortages and global warming in one swoop! When you get an hour watch this video, the 2007 Dimbleby Lecture from the BBC - utterly inspirational

9. What was your ‘Sliding Door’ moment - the event that altered the course of your life?When I returned from travelling I just wanted a ‘job’ to earn enough money to go travelling again. I was lucky enough to get two job offers on the same-day – one was in a call centre for British Gas, and the second was with a School Tour Operator in a sales role. I chose the School Tour Operator (which was £25 a month less) as it offered free tea and coffee, and I worked out that I’d spend more than that a month in the Call Centre! That simple and naïve decision meant I worked with amazing colleagues who had brains the size of counties, I got into sales, I travelled loads with the job (which quenched my thirst for travelling) and I met my wife.

10. When you think of ‘retirement’ what image does it conjure up?Selling up, buying a Winnebago and heading off without a plan and enough cash to pay for friends and family flights to visit us. A home by the sea and a great walk. Travelling, painting, playing guitar, eating good food, remaining fit, going to loads of gigs, working through my ever-growing ‘bucket list’, growing my hair long, doing loads of degrees, being openly opinionated, falling asleep when I feel like it and still doing silly ‘challenges’.

We were impressed not only by the quality of candidates you found for us but also the level of information, preparation and qualification you put into the process. You continually kept us informed of each person’s feelings about the process, which is very important but often overlooked. I am looking forward to working with your company again in the future.

Commercial Director, Incentive Facilities Management

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I have used Aaron Wallis to fill a number of our Sales Development Manager roles and I have found them to provide a very professional service. I will use their services again in future recruitment campaigns.

HR Business Partner, Greene King

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Rob is a true recruitment professional that goes the extra mile that I have never experienced from any other recruitment agency before. If you need sales people call Rob or someone in his team, as they really are experts in sales recruitment.

Sales Director, Inside Business

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Aaron Wallis has continuously provided us with suitable candidates that have been proactively sourced. Having used countless recruitment companies, Aaron Wallis are the only company that I can count on to deliver.

Managing Director, JARK Healthcare Recruitment

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Since joining DSGi, Rob has been a supplier of permanent staff and has performed to an extremely high standard, successfully filling 98% of roles he has worked on. If anyone is looking for a good sales and marketing based consultancy with an informal yet professional approach, I would recommend Rob.

Senior Recruitment Consultant, DSG International

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Giles is highly professional and was a pleasure to work with. He achieves excellent results through his personable skills and tenacity. I have no hesitation in recommending Giles to anyone who considers employing his services.

Commercial Director, G4S Government & Outsourcing Solutions

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We appointed Aaron Wallis in February and the successful candidate, out of the six which Aaron Wallis introduced, was able to join Alphametrics before the end of April. The whole process took less than three months. I would recommend Aaron Wallis’ services to others without hesitation.

Chief Financial Officer, Alphametrics

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Giles Phillips is a rare find in the minefield of sales recruitment; an honest and thoughtful recruiter who considers the needs of both the client AND the candidate to create perfect role matches. I look forward to working with him again in the future.

Marketing Director, City of London Police

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Thanks for all your help during the recruitment process. I have been extremely impressed with Aaron Wallis especially when compared to other agencies we have dealt with. I really felt you grasped the type of person we required and found strong candidates.

UK Sales Manager, Nexcom

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I found Aaron Wallis to be very professional and efficient, taking time to understand the role and the type of candidate we were looking for. The candidates they put forward met our criteria and were of a high standard. The service they provided was exemplary and I would have no hesitation in recommending them, and will certainly consider using them again in the future.

HR Assistant, Fischer Connectors Ltd

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I have always found Rob to be very knowledgeable about our industry sector, and it is refreshing to see after all of these years that Rob continues to quickly and accurately understand my requirements.

HR and General Manager, THK

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Rob’s knowledge of the recruitment industry and his thoughts and how to make it better for his clients have always been eye opening. I would recommend Rob to anybody who is looking for a professional, knowledgeable and flexible recruitment specialist.

CEO, Friday Ad Online Services

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I just wanted to thank you for your help with our recruitment process which went very smoothly and has – we hope – found us just the person for the job!

Managing Director, Citrefine International Ltd

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Understood the type of person we were looking for and good follow ups - not too frequent.

Managing Director, bigHead Bonding Fasteners Ltd

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In an industry where people over promise and under deliver, Rob and his teams have consistently provided a high-quality service. It is great to deal with someone that has an excellent understanding of UK industry, and a passion for sales.

ABOUT OUR SALES RECRUITMENT SERVICE

Our Candidates Say ...

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Aaron Wallis (and in particular Rob Scott) have been fantastic throughout the recruitment process, and even a few months down the line, still continues to care. Rob clearly cares about each individual and has a wealth of knowledge and expertise, which shows in the work he does. Each candidate is not just a number, and the support received from Aaron Wallis has helped me get a career which I truly enjoy.

M. White, Candidate

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Aaron Wallis is an outstanding recruitment agency specialising in high calibre sales positions. I was working directly with Darren Dawrance who went above and beyond my expectations in sourcing me my perfect role. I was kept in regular communication with Darren and he worked extremely hard on securing my dream job. Highly recommended and Thanks Darren for all your expertise and hard work.

R. Sealy, Candidate

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Good swift process with Aaron Wallis, informative regarding the role and the process was moved at a good pace with healthy interaction. Would recommend them to anyone pursuing a change.

S. Bartlett, Candidate

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Excellent experience from first contact to ultimately securing a suitable placement. Giles looked after me in a very professional and friendly manner. He used his expertise and experience to ensure I was put forward for the most suitable positions for my skill set and found me a new role very quickly. I can't recommend Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment highly enough.

M. Green, Candidate

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A great recruitment company to work with. Excellent experience with Aaron Wallis through the entire recruitment process. The team was really professional and extremely helpful. Darren was a pleasure to work with. He was friendly, supportive and gave me great advice. Thank you very much!

A. Bauchet, Candidate

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Really excellent experience dealing with Aaron Wallis. Liam Oakes who helped me get a great job was brilliant. Kept me up to date during the process and offered great help and advice, and a thoroughly nice guy. Highly recommended!

J. Hathaway, Candidate

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Aaron Wallis helped me secure a position I really wanted. Giles saught to keep me updated with all the details preceding interviews and after with feedback. I would highly recommend Giles and Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment.

L. Taylor, Candidate

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Very good advice and support was given during the course of the interviewing process. Potential job seekers would be well advised to use this company whilst looking for their new career.

R. Speakman, Candidate

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Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment are a very friendly and professional recruitment organisation who listen to your needs, work with you and act on your behalf which sets them apart from many of their competitors who in my experience are willing to throw anything at you. We discussed my history, my preferences and my wishes - one opportunity was introduced. It was perfect. I start at the end of June.

Perfect from start to finish. Simon deserves a shout out. Best recruiter there is. If you need a job, this guy will get you one. He's like the super man of recruiters. Top man, can't recommend him enough.

M. Crisp, Candidate

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I've had a really good experience working with Giles Phillips at Aaron Wallis. From initial contact to the finer details of securing the job, he has been very professional and a pleasure to work with.

M. Shutt, Candidate

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Less than two weeks after joining Aaron Wallis I was offered my new job. I got a £10,000 rise in my basic salary, car allowance, a laptop and many other perks, which will help to further my career. I definitely would not have found my dream job without the help of Aaron Wallis.

C. Hoy, Candidate

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Aaron Wallis have provided me with an excellent service, Giles went out of his way to help me preparing for my interview and supported me through all the processes. If you need an agency to give you a fully professional and consultative approach to finding you a new career move, the Aaron Wallis can certainly provide this for you.

D. Richards, Candidate

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The Recruitment agent I used, Simon, was extremely helpful and really went the extra mile to ensure all of my questions were answered, and that I felt as comfortable and prepared as possible. Very professional company and would definitely recommend to others. Thank you Aaron Wallis!